Environment Agency flood update Saturday/Sunday

River Loddon and River Blackwater at Swallowfield including Swallowfield Park

River Loddon at Arborfield and Shinfield

River Loddon at Lower Earley and Sindlesham including Earley

River Loddon at Winnersh and Woodley including Whistley Green, Berkshire

River levels are continuing to rise on the Blackwater and Loddon rivers following the recent rainfall.

Flooding of some low lying properties closest to the river is expected from early this evening (Saturday)onwards in the Arborfield, Shinfield, Swallowfield, Lower Earley, Sindlesham, Winnersh Triangle, Winnersh and Woodley areas.

River levels on the Loddon are currently forecast to reach a similar level to that seen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2013. River levels on the Blackwater are currently forecast to reach a slightly higher level than that seen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2013.

The latest weather forecast suggests that there will be rain throughout this afternoon which will be heavy at times. It is expected to turn drier later this afternoon and into this evening but more rainfall is expected on Sunday.

In all four flood warning areas, our incident response teams are in attendance. Where appropriate and safe they are clearing trash screens.

We continue to check flood defences and closely monitor river levels. We are in close contact with our professional partners; these include the Surrey and Thames Valley Local Resilience Forums.

Our Area Incident Room in Wallingford remains open and will stay open as the situation develops. We will continue to monitor the flooding closely and we will do all we can to warn people about the risks.

We would be grateful if you could encourage local residents to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on media reports and weather forecasts.

About John Redwood

John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College, and has a DPhil from All Souls, Oxford. A businessman by background, he has been a director of NM Rothschild merchant bank and chairman of a quoted industrial PLC.